Food-and-fund drive this week to benefit the region's largest hunger relief organization
Members of the Staff Council are sponsoring a food-and-fund drive this week for Second Harvest Heartland, the region's largest hunger relief organization. Drop boxes are located around campus.
Here are some statistics about Minnesotans and hunger:
- In 2004, there were more than 1.7 million visits to food shelves in Minnesota (Minnesota FoodShare, Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches). Close to 45 percent of those who benefit from food shelves are children (Second Harvest Heartland statistics, 2004 survey).
- Last year, Second Harvest Heartland distributed 31 million pounds of food in the region. Second Harvest Heartland can distribute up to $9 for each $1 donated, so stop by between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, to make a donation at the table in the lower level of Murray-Herrick Campus Center.
- The fastest growing group of food-shelf clients are the working poor: 43 percent of households using food shelves report that paid employment is the family's main source of income (Working But Still Hungry report, Hunger Solutions Minnesota).
For a list of the most-needed food items, see the Bulletin Today story from Dec. 8.
